Possible Exam Questions for Ethics Final

Note: The format and rules for the final exam will be the same as for the midterm exam. The exam will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, Dec. 17 in our regular classroom.

1. What, according to Aristotle, is ‘the function’ of a human being? How does he use this idea to define happiness for a human being (and, thus, ‘the human good’)?

2. Briefly, what is Aristotle’s ‘doctrine of the mean’?

3. What does Aristotle mean by saying that the mean is ‘relative to us’? Does that mean that he thinks there is no objective right and wrong?

4. What, according to Aristotle are the three kinds of friendship? Say a little about each one. And explain why one type is best.

5. Aristotle says only virtuous people can be true friends. Why? Do you agree?

6. What do you think about the claim that at least some of the virtues are universal, in the sense that they are needed for a good life regardless of your cultural context?

7. In what sense are virtue and vice ‘up to us’ according to Aristotle? Do you agree?

8. Why does Mary Ann Warren think that human fetuses are not, morally speaking, human beings? Is she right?

9. What do you think is the most compelling reason to think that early abortions are morally wrong? How good a reason is that?

10. How does Susan Sherwin distinguish between ‘feminine ethics’ and ‘feminist ethics’?

11. How might one explain the difference between a ‘feminine’ and a ‘feminist’ approach to the issue of abortion?

12. What reasons might be given for thinking that widespread use of pornography is not a good thing? How good are those reasons?

13. According to Raymond Gastil, pornography and obscenity can produce a kind of ‘moral harm’. How so? Does he have a good point?

14. How, according to Rae Langton, might pornography silence and subordinate women?

15. What are some reasons for thinking that it might be a good idea for a university to have regulations prohibiting racist speech on campus? How good are these reasons?